Vanderbilt Health

Director of Thoracic Transplant

Vanderbilt Health$150K — $200K *
Hospitals & Medical Centers
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in Nursing or related field required
  • Registered Nurse (RN) license in Tennessee
  • 7+ years of relevant clinical experience
  • Strong preference for cardiothoracic or transplant leadership experience
  • Experience in an academic medical center is preferred

Responsibilities

  • Establish and execute departmental goals aligned with institutional priorities
  • Integrate and standardize transplant-specific nursing practices across services
  • Oversee transplant program access to enhance patient care transitions
  • Provide operational readiness for organ procurement and transport
  • Ensure accountability for patient safety and quality outcomes
  • Participate in strategic planning and resource allocation for transplant programs
  • Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams to promote organ donation

Benefits

  • Affordable high quality health plan options
  • Dental and/or vision plan
  • 403(b) retirement plan
  • Flexible paid time off (PTO)
  • Tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance
  • Short and long-term disability coverage
  • Subsidized backup childcare
  • Employee nursing supplemental pay program available
Full Job Description
Organization:
Transplant Clinical Services

Job Summary:
The Vanderbilt Health Executive Search Team is conducting a national search for a Director of Thoracic Transplant. The Director of Thoracic Transplant provides operational and strategic oversight for the heart and lung transplant programs and related transplant center functions, including program access, clinical care and coordination, organ procurement, and organ preservation. As a member of the transplant center senior leadership team, the Director of Thoracic Transplant is accountable for comprehensive operational performance across assigned transplant services and for advancing the mission, vision, and credo of the Vanderbilt Clinical Enterprise. The Director interfaces daily with multidisciplinary stakeholders, including administrative staff, clinical teams, physicians, ancillary team members, and hospital leadership to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care across the pre-transplant, perioperative, inpatient, and post-transplant continuum.

Shift: First Shift; Days

Role Accountabilities:

  • Establishes and executes department goals and operational plans aligned with institutional policy, the Transplant Center mission, and Vanderbilt Clinical Enterprise priorities; drives reliable day-to-day operations across assigned heart and lung transplant services.
  • Responsible to the Associate Nursing Officer/Chief Nursing Officer for the integration and standardization of transplant-specific nursing and clinical practice across the Clinical Enterprise.
  • Oversees transplant program access (referrals, intake, scheduling, evaluation coordination) to improve timeliness, reduce barriers to care, and optimize transitions across the transplant continuum.
  • Provides operational oversight and readiness for organ procurement, transport, and preservation processes; ensures effective coordination among multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
  • Accountable for patient safety, quality outcomes, patient experience, and regulatory readiness; Leads performance improvement initiatives, event reviews, and sustainment of evidence-based pathways.
  • Participates in strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for thoracic transplant programs; manages assigned budgets, staffing models, and productivity to meet operational and financial targets.
  • Serves as a clinical, administrative, and operational leader and mentor; builds a collaborative, multidisciplinary culture; actively promotes organ donation and transplantation locally and nationally.


Note: This list reflects core responsibilities; additional duties may be assigned based on organizational need.

Qualifications - External:

  • Master's Degree and 7 years of experience; RN required


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Cardiothoracic or Transplant leadership experience strongly preferred.
  • Academic Medical Center experience is strongly preferred.


#LI-JC1

Our Nursing Philosophy:

We believe highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to Vanderbilt University Medical Center's mission of quality in patient care, education and research. We believe nursing is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families and communities reach excellent health and well-being.

As a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, you make a difference to our patients and their families by bringing compassion and care to those in need of hope and healing. Please see our current employee benefits offered:
  • Affordable High Quality Health Plan Options
  • Dental and /or vision plan
  • 403 (b) retirement plan
  • Paid Time off (flex PTO)
  • Tuition Reimbursement and adoption assistance (maximums applied)
  • Short-Long term disability
  • Subsidized backup childcare
  • And many more... Ask us about our current inpatient nursing supplemental Pay Program!


Achieve the Remarkable:

Learn more about VUMC Nursing here.

Core Accountabilities:

* Organizational Impact: Establishes key tactical and operational plans of a sub-function or multiple departments that has longer-term effect on results of the sub-function. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Integrate knowledge and in-depth analysis from several areas to resolve complex problems that are both technical and operational. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies comprehensive knowledge of professional/technical area and broad management knowledge of other professional areas to carry out objectives. * Team Interaction: Leads multiple departments with a function.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Acts upon constructive feedback from all levels of the organization and initiates strategies to develop talent in others. - Builds and Maintains Relationships: Leverages relationships and insight to forecast potential future needs and influence delivery of work to exceed expectations. - Communicates Effectively: Anticipates difference audience concerns, styles and finds mutually beneficial solutions across conflicting and sensitive issues. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of broad-based issues and considers the interests of others to improve satisfaction of services. - Solves Complex Problems: Critically evaluates complex information and identifies trends/risks to make recommendations to improve processes across areas. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing feedback and development discussions to motivate and support team members to maximize performance.Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Anticipates problems or obstacles which may interfere with quality standards and develops plants to ensure area's quality standards are met. - Ensures Continuous Improvement: Routinely draws upon valuable learning from others, past experiences, and new information to determine key opportunities. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Develops appropriate corrective actions for unsafe environments in order to ensure operational and safety compliance. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Identifies potential obstacles to goal achievement and develops solutions to address those obstacles. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Creates the appropriate systems and processes to effectively manage resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Applies in-depth knowledge of data to recommend and implement new approaches to improve decision making capabilities. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Identifies opportunities and leads development of new initiatives that create value across areas. - Applies Technology: Creates the energy and drive for self/others to identify and leverage technology in new, innovative ways to drive greater efficiencies. - Adapts to Change: Anticipates the change process and clearly communicates impact on others/own team(s), assisting them in embracing the change.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:
LIC-Registered Nurse - Tennessee

Work Experience:
Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level:
7 years

Education:
Bachelor's (Required)

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

About Vanderbilt Health

Vanderbilt Health provides a range of healthcare services, including treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. The organization operates multiple locations with convenient hours throughout Middle Tennessee. Vanderbilt Health offers features such as self check-in and an appointment waitlist to enhance patient convenience. The organization also provides medical records upon request. Patients and their families seek Vanderbilt Health's services for both routine needs and serious health concerns.

Vanderbilt Health Careers

There has never been a better time to explore the job opportunities at Vanderbilt Health, a leader in medical excellence and innovation. Vanderbilt Health offers a unique chance to join a professional team committed to transformative healthcare services.

Work You’ll Do

Join Vanderbilt Health’s esteemed team to assist in pioneering advancements in healthcare and improving patient outcomes across the globe. This is where expertise meets innovation in a rich environment of diversity and leadership. Engage in meaningful work that pushes the boundaries of medical research and patient care, with a focus on digital transformation and technological integration.

Vanderbilt Health Employment Opportunities

The team is actively building a robust employment framework that supports both seasoned professionals and those seeking entry-level positions through internships and diverse job opportunities.

Innovate and Lead

At Vanderbilt Health, every position benefits from the culture of innovation and leadership. The company is home to a dynamic team of over 20,000 dedicated professionals who bring their unique skills to the forefront of healthcare challenges.

Grow and Develop

Vanderbilt Health is not just a healthcare provider but a hub for professional growth and career advancement. With comprehensive benefits, continuous diversity training, and unmatched professional development programs, individuals can future-proof their careers in the healthcare industry.

Explore Career Paths

From clinical roles to administrative positions, Vanderbilt Health offers a spectrum of career paths. The company values the growth of its team members through leadership training and opportunities for networking within the medical and academic fields.

The Vanderbilt Health Commitment

With a commitment to leadership in healthcare innovation, Vanderbilt Health provides a platform where professionals can thrive in their careers. The company fosters a culture of growth and learning, supported by a community that values diversity and inclusion.

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